India’s dream of having its own bullet train is moving forward, but not without some big bumps along the way. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project, which many call the bullet train, was first approved back in 2017 with a budget of about Rs 1.1 lakh crore. Now, in early 2026, the cost has gone up a lot – to Rs 1.98 lakh crore. That’s an increase of 83 percent, which means an extra Rs 88,000 crore. People are talking about this because that money could have been used for things like building more schools or hospitals. But officials say the project will bring big changes to how people travel between these two busy cities.
The 508-kilometer corridor is meant to connect Mumbai, the financial hub of India, with Ahmedabad, a growing business center in Gujarat. Trains will run at speeds up to 320 kilometers per hour, cutting the travel time from over seven hours by regular train to just about two hours. This is India’s first high-speed rail project, and it’s being built with help from Japan. The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) is handling the work. So far, they’ve finished buying all the land needed – 1,390 hectares – and spent Rs 85,801 crore. The work is 55.6 percent done physically.
But why has the cost gone up so much? Main reasons are delays of more than four years. Land was hard to get in Maharashtra, the COVID-19 pandemic stopped work for a long time, and getting permissions took longer than expected. The first part of the train service, from Surat to Bilimora, is now set to start in August 2027. The whole thing should be ready by the end of 2029. While some people are excited about faster travel and new jobs, others are upset about the extra costs and wonder if it’s worth it.
Railway Board Chairman and CEO Satish Kumar said in a recent meeting, “While the final sanction for the revised cost is yet to be taken, approximately it would be around Rs 1.98 lakh crore. It will be finalised within a month or two.” This shows the government is still working on the numbers, but the rise is clear
Background of the Project
The idea for a bullet train in India started many years ago, but it really took off when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japan’s Shinzo Abe agreed on it in 2015. The project was officially started in September 2017 with a big ceremony in Ahmedabad. The plan was to have trains like Japan’s famous Shinkansen, which are safe, fast, and on time.
The corridor goes through Maharashtra and Gujarat, with stops at places like Thane, Virar, Surat, Vadodara, and Anand. There will be 12 stations in total. Most of the track – about 465 kilometers – will be on elevated structures called viaducts to avoid crossing roads and keep things safe. There’s also a 21-kilometer tunnel, including 7 kilometers under the sea near Mumbai, which is a first for India.
Japan is giving a big loan for this – about 81 percent of the cost through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). It’s a soft loan with very low interest of 0.1 percent, to be paid back over 50 years, with no payments for the first 15 years. India is paying the rest. The trains will be made in India later, but the first ones come from Japan.
At first, the project was supposed to be done by 2022 or 2023. But things didn’t go as planned. Land issues in Maharashtra, where farmers and locals protested, slowed everything down. Then COVID hit in 2020, and work stopped for months. Now, in 2026, we’re looking at a much later finish date.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has been positive, saying things like, “The breakthrough in the Palghar tunnel is a big step. We’re pushing hard to meet the new timelines.” This shows the government is still committed.
Reasons for Delays and Cost Increase
The main problem was getting the land. In Maharashtra, it took years because of legal fights and protests from people who didn’t want to give up their farms or homes. The government had to talk to thousands of landowners. In Gujarat, it was easier, but overall, it delayed the start of building.
Then came the COVID-19 pandemic. From 2020 to 2022, work sites were shut, workers went home, and supplies were hard to get. This added at least two years to the timeline.
Other things like getting environmental clearances and finalizing the train designs also took time. Costs went up because materials like steel and cement got more expensive over the years. Inflation and changes in currency values added to it too.
Because of these delays, the project cost jumped from Rs 1.08 lakh crore (some say Rs 1.1 lakh crore) to Rs 1.98 lakh crore. That’s a big rise, and critics say it shows poor planning. But officials argue that big projects like this always face such issues. For example, similar high-speed rails in other countries, like in China or Europe, have also seen cost overruns.
Satish Kumar explained, “The project has faced time and cost overruns due to different reasons, including delay in land acquisition, statutory clearances and finalisation of the rolling stock.” This makes it clear that multiple factors are at play.
Current Progress and Achievements
Even with delays, a lot has been done. By the end of 2025, physical work is at 55.6 percent. They’ve built 293 kilometers of viaducts and 375 kilometers of piers. The undersea tunnel work is going on, and the mountain tunnel in Palghar was finished recently – a 2.1-kilometer breakthrough that Minister Vaishnaw called a milestone.
All land is now with the NHSRCL – 1,390 hectares across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. They’ve spent Rs 85,801 crore so far, which is about 69.6 percent of the money side.
Work on stations is starting, like the one in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex. Bridges over rivers and highways are being made. Japan is helping with training Indian engineers on Shinkansen tech.
Prime Minister Modi reviewed the project last month and asked to speed it up. So, teams are working faster now.
Timeline Ahead: When Will It Run?
The new plan is to start the first part – 62 kilometers from Surat to Bilimora – on August 15, 2027. That’s India’s Independence Day, so it’s a special date. The full 508-kilometer line should be ready by December 2029.
After that, testing will happen, and regular services might start in 2030. Trains will run every 20 minutes during peak times, carrying up to 750 people each. There will be business class and standard class seats.
Officials say once it’s running, it will change travel. You can go from Mumbai to Ahmedabad in two hours, compared to five hours by flight including airport time, or seven by train.
Benefits of the Bullet Train
Why spend so much? The government says it will bring many good things. First, faster travel means more business between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. People can live in one city and work in the other. It will create jobs – already, thousands are working on it, and more will come when it runs.
It will help the economy. Areas around stations will grow with new shops, hotels, and offices. Studies say it could add to India’s GDP by making transport better.
Environment-wise, it’s better than cars or planes because it uses electricity and carries many people at once. It will reduce traffic on roads and cut pollution.
Japan’s tech is safe – Shinkansen has no accidents in over 50 years. So, it will make Indian railways better too.
A report from IIM Ahmedabad said to break even, it needs 1.18 lakh passengers a day, with tickets around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. That’s like flight prices, but faster door-to-door.
Minister Vaishnaw said, “This project is not just about speed; it’s about transforming India’s infrastructure.”
Criticisms and Public Frustration
Not everyone is happy. Many say the extra Rs 88,000 crore could fix other problems, like improving regular trains that millions use every day. Some call it a “rich man’s toy” because tickets might be too costly for common people.
There are worries about the loan from Japan. If the rupee falls against the yen, paying back could cost more. Also, will enough people use it? Flights are cheap now, and roads are getting better.
In Maharashtra, past protests showed people worried about losing land without fair pay. Environment groups say building through forests and mangroves could harm nature.
Opposition leaders have said, “The cost has doubled, but when will it run? This is poor management.” Public on social media asks why not spend on hospitals or schools instead.
But supporters say big projects always face this, and in the long run, it will pay off.
FAQs
What is the current cost of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project?
The cost has gone up to Rs 1.98 lakh crore from the original Rs 1.1 lakh crore. This is an 83 percent increase. The rise happened because of delays in getting land, the COVID pandemic, and higher prices for materials. Officials say the final okay for this new cost will come soon. The money comes mostly from Japan’s JICA loan, which is cheap, but India has to cover the extra.
Why was there a delay in the project?
The project was delayed by over four years. Main reasons are trouble in buying land in Maharashtra, where locals fought against it. Then COVID stopped work for a long time. Getting government permissions and choosing the trains also took extra time. Now, all land is bought, and work is speeding up.
What is the progress so far?
As of late 2025, 55.6 percent of the physical work is done. They’ve spent Rs 85,801 crore. Key things finished include 293 km of viaducts, 375 km of piers, and a tunnel in Palghar. Stations and tracks are being built. The NHSRCL says everything is on track for the new dates.
When will the bullet train start running?
The first small part, from Surat to Bilimora (62 km), will open on August 15, 2027. The full line to Mumbai should be ready by December 2029. After that, tests will happen before passengers can ride.
How fast will the train go, and how long will the trip take?
The train will go up to 320 km per hour. The full trip from Mumbai to Ahmedabad will take about two hours, much less than the current seven hours by train or five hours including airport time for flights.
Who is funding the project?
Japan’s JICA is giving 81 percent as a loan with 0.1 percent interest over 50 years. India pays the rest. No extra money from JICA for the cost rise – India handles that.
Will the bullet train be profitable?
It might need high ticket prices, around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000, to make money. It needs over 1 lakh passengers a day to break even. But it will also earn from shops at stations and other things. Experts say it will help the economy more than just from tickets.
What are the benefits for common people?
It will create jobs, make travel faster for business, and help areas grow. It could reduce road traffic and pollution. But tickets might be high, so mostly for those who can afford it.
Are there any environmental concerns?
Yes, building through some green areas and mangroves worried people. But the project got clearances, and they say they’ll plant trees and protect nature.
How does this compare to other bullet trains in the world?
Like Japan’s Shinkansen, which is very safe. China’s high-speed rails are cheaper per km, but India’s is using top tech for safety and speed.
This project is a big step for India. Even with higher costs, it could change how we travel. As Satish Kumar said, “The entire 508-km corridor is likely to be completed by Dec 2029.” Let’s see what happens next.